By michael | Published:
18 February 2010
In Brantford, I happened to stumble upon what might be one the most flagrant instances of urban vandalism in the province. I confidently categorize it as vandalism because it doesn’t appear, from what I have read, to make any sense whatsoever. They are taking down something of great value and replacing it with nothing at all.
By michael | Published:
28 January 2010
We are in the unusual position of having a nearly-full oil tank and only a few days to consume the oil in it. We have responded–not too responsibly–by cranking up the thermostat! But given the circumstances we don’t feel too guilty about turning our house, briefly, into a mini Alberta-tar-sands-style carbon emitter.
By michael | Published:
27 January 2010
Two dogs get some fresh air and exercise on the roof of a front porch to a modest townhouse in a poor neighbourhood of Hamilton.
Posted in Cities, Hamilton |
By michael | Published:
26 January 2010
You can’t really force a child to have a genuine interest in a musical instrument. You have to lead them to that goal indirectly.
By michael | Published:
25 January 2010
Most boys love weapons. Cross-bows, battle axes, harpoons, guns: they can’t get enough of them. The latest implements of war to be installed in our house are a full complement of Nerf guns.
By michael | Published:
16 December 2009
People might think that trading in their gas-guzzler for a Prius would be a good way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is a simpler and less expensive way of achieving similar reductions: eating less meat and using a pressure cooker to cook legumes.
By michael | Published:
15 December 2009
A basic lack of legitimacy is what makes the Afghan war so difficult to pursue and what makes it such a hard sell to American allies: it just doesn’t make much sense. A fight against Al-Qaeda has morphed into a fight against an anti-modern but essentially nationalistic enemy in the Taliban. This is why parallels to the Vietnam war seem more and more appropriate
By michael | Published:
2 December 2009
Pittsburgh has an unusual urban configuration in that its central business district–the Golden Triangle–is relatively isolated from the rest of the city. The Triangle is where the two rivers meet to form the mighty Ohio. As we told the boys, this is where in the old days people drifted lazily down the river–Huck Finn style–all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
By michael | Published:
20 November 2009
In the ‘whatever is begun in anger ends in shame’ department, Canada risks descending into pariah status with the latest revelations of complicity in torture in Afghanistan.
Posted in Canada, Peace |
By michael | Published:
16 November 2009
Hamilton proved not to be a hotbed of republican sentiment last week on November 9, 2009 when Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, visited Dundurn Castle.
